For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Hosea 6:6, NKJV
Hosea was a prophet in Israel 750 years before Jesus walked the earth. The Israelites in the Northern Kingdom were fixated upon ritualistic animal sacrifice. Their spiritual lives were not rooted in heart matters like mercy, lovingkindness, and the intimate acknowledgement of God in their daily endeavors. All that mattered was outwardly generous religious activity.
Some people treat their faith in God in the very same way. Rather than deeply engaging in a personal walk with Christ, they employ visible gestures like religious philanthropy in order to create the impression of godliness. Trying to atone for your sins or to fill a spiritual void in your life by throwing money at God or the church is a useless enterprise. If you desire to present God with the gift He truly craves, give Him your heart.